Hey!
I've been windsurfing for three summers now on a Bombora 295 (150L I think) with a sail about 7ish meters. I've gotten pretty good, can use the harness, footstraps, can tack easily, and have just started being able to gybe. I can't waterstart, but I can beach start. I haven't really tried, but I don't think its windy enough a lot of the time to try waterstarting, although uphauling is really easy on this board.
I'm wondering where to go from here - I'm thinking of getting a new kit but I'm not too sure what would suit me. I want to go faster, and also I want to maybe try sailing in surf/wavey conditions. Currently I windsurf down at Balmoral Beach, which is kind of flat (any recommendations nearby where I should begin?).
What would you suggest for a beginner/intermediate like myself (I'd probably be looking a second hand gear)?
EDIT: Should mention that I've never had lessons. Not too sure whether they would be worthwhile now? Should also mention I weigh about 70kg.
Thanks!
You will probably get some good advice here and also be told to do a search on beginner topics as there have been lots of them but I suggest you make friends with locals, surley you would of seen other windurfers around so just go and ask, 99% of us are pretty helpful and love to help others on the water especially in thier local area.
Nothing beats looking at some of the newer gear in real life as what you are sailing now would be quite different to the modern gear.
Good luck and make friends.
A smaller board (90 - 100 litres) will transform your sailing and enjoyment level. Most brands offer something in the 'freeride' or 'freestylewave' genre that will work well.
Hi there
Would definately work on your waterstarting, its the skill that will allow you to get out in stronger winds and smaller boards and sails. Once you put the time into it and get the knack of it you wont look back and you will save so much more energy out on the water and be having more fun. Never sailed at Balmoral, but you could try sailing at Botany bay where the winds can get a bit stronger.... this might add a new dimension to your sailing.
Not sure what size you are as in weight but i would recommend a board around 120l. Ive been using a jp excite ride, anyone who has one will tell you how good they are. This is reflected in the second hand price but you can still find some bargin's , i shipped one over from perth as gear is cheaper there even with shipping the same goes for sail's.
As others have mentioned, learning to waterstart is a great and much needed skill to have, waterstarting my 7.2 is pretty tiring at times but i can still up haul on a 120.
Word of warning though the noses on jp's are quite soft, mines had more nose jobs than joan collins.
As for sailing around sydney, you have loads of places, flatwater travel up north to narrabeen or south to brighton le sands. Had some great bump and jump and bump and catapult at La perouse, dolls point. Kurnell is another great place to sail. Botnay has a place for every wind flavor,, much missed but bris has some great places.
Thanks for all the helpful replies. I'll give waterstarting a go, and then I might invest in a 110L freestyle board.
Cheers!
At 70kg you'd probably be better on about 95-100 litres for a moderately windy day. Would make a nice intermediate size beteen your big bombora and the small wave/freewave board you'll eventually get for when it's really hammering. Once you can waterstart you'll be free to sail anything anywhere.
I have the same set up bombora 292 & am at the same stage sailing trying to learn to water start but i have got a 103 lt f2 its a ripper but it needs more wind to get going & i find it is hard work until on the plane & i find im still using the bombora on lighter wind days im 70kg i would buy a larger board if i bought again you could also try narrabeen lake if thats balmoral in sydeny and your welcome to have a go on f2 & see what u think
Just a quick note on learning to waterstart - "use a smaller sail" - 7m+ is just too big!
I used to own a 6m slalom sail, and I found even that was hard to waterstart.
Maybe aim to downsize the rig first (say 5.5m to learn to waterstart), and then the board to match (say 100L).
Cheers!
i've been sailing on a 100 litre f2 ride and learnt to waterstart in two sessions. it really transforms your sailing. i learnt on a 5.6 and a 6.5. once you can do it it's really easy. it's a bit unpleasant with all the waves and being in the middle of the bay but its worth it 
go for it
Wear a PFD while learning to waterstart. You'll get the knack twice as fast. Once you're getting good you can leave the pfd behind if you want. (I still wear mine though - keeps me warm and makes life easy)
Didn't read the whole thread, but did someone ask you where you wanted to go, i.e. waves, flat-water freestyle, racing ?
Currently I only do flat-water freestyle in moderate winds (Balmoral never gets that windy), but I'm kind of interested in learning waves, but that may be a few months off.
I've been getting some pretty conflicting advice: what would be the main difference between getting say a 110L board or a 95-100L board in terms of experience and difficulty? Anything in particular that would be more difficult/easier to do on either one?
Thanks!
I started on an old Bobora I bought for $150. I thought it was the greatest thing out until someone offered me a ride on a Mistral Flow. I went about 100 mtrs, came ashore then went out the next day and bought a brand new kit. Like going from a Kombi to a Ferrarri! BTW. I am about 76kg and my favourite board is a 93 ltr Flow. It is floaty enough if I have to ever dredge home.
I would think more about where you want to sail, and the prevailing conditions! I am just ahead of you and bought my first board a 103Litre Freestyle Wave. I took a small 'detour' and made the effort to waterstart. Find somewhere with non gusty wind and a sandbank nearby a 6 metre or smaller sail, and in a couple of sessions you will never look back!
I weigh the same, and I found that while the 100L board is a big jump its also about as big as I can cope with when the wind and waves picks up. I am now looking for a 75L as well.
However if you think you will needing 7metre sails (and not quite ready to take up the speed sailor thing:-) you probably would want something bigger than 100L, you spend more time planning on the bigger board.
Other tip: Hold onto your old board, until your fully transitioned to the new board. I am yet to pull of gybe on my board yet...
Hope that helps
If you're 150l freestyling, then it's more longboard-type freestyle than modern freestyle, that type of sailing doesn't make you proficient yet for waves freestyle.
Still, don't go too far above 100l, freestyle-wave type board. Freestyle and speed almost contradict one another gear-wise: freestyle smaller sail for better control, speed = bigger rig. You may have to make a choice.
Try it at your usual spot first, on the strongest wind you can go out in. After getting used to the new gear and waterstarts, then go ocean-side and start on a low-swell day, perhaps NE at first rather than southerly for easier winds in waves.
Agreed with the guy who said to hold on to old one if you can.
BTW, we're all beginners, hopefully humble too
PS: Balmoral, haven't sailed there in yonks... how many boards out there on a good NE weekend day ?
